Virginia aims to avoid repeat of W&M upset in season opener

Two years later, the differences within the Virginia-William and Mary matchup are far greater than the similarities.

The Cavaliers are again projected to be a second-tier ACC team. The Tribe figures to be one of the best teams in the championship subdivision and is impeccably coached by Jimmye Laycock. Season opener for both. Same venue — Scott Stadium (6 p.m.).

Beyond that, there's little resemblance to the meeting two years ago. New coaches, new players, new season.

What remains is the result, William and Mary's 26-14 upset, which is just fresh enough in the minds of the principals to provide motivation for both sides.

"Right now, we're focused on doing what we know how to do," said Virginia coach Mike London, one of the differences in the equation. "The pink elephant in the room is what happened a couple years ago. You acknowledge it, move on, prepare for playing a good game."

The Cavaliers aim to demonstrate the improvement that London seeks in his second year as head coach. That begins with beating a team they're supposed to beat and displaying the vast difference in resources and overall talent that go along with their BCS status.

First game or not, element of surprise or not, Laycock, entering his 32nd year as head coach at his alma mater, believes the team with the best players and more of them always has an advantage.

"That said, and it's something we tell our players all the time, it all comes down to that day, that game," Laycock said. "It's not necessarily who has the best players. It's who has the best team that day. That's what we always strive to do, whether we're playing Virginia or we're playing somebody else."

William and Mary was clearly the better team that 2009 day in Charlottesville. The Cavs committed seven turnovers and did little with the ball when they weren't coughing it up. The Tribe also missed three makeable field goals that would have made the result more lopsided.

That game signaled the beginning of the end for Virginia coach Al Groh. London, his former defensive coordinator, has since orchestrated an infusion of enthusiasm and talent. He said as many as 10-12 freshmen could play, versus W&M or at some point this season.

The Tribe figures to play few freshmen, in part because there is veteran talent in place and in part because of the developmental nature of the program and of FCS football in general.

Laycock schedules a Bowl Subdivision team every year, for several reasons.

"To me, it's part of our players' college football experience," he said. "When you come to William and Mary, we talk to you about getting a great degree, getting an opportunity to compete for a championship, and you get an opportunity once a year to go line up against a bigger school in a bigger stadium in a great atmosphere and challenge yourself. These are the types of games that the players will remember for the rest of their lives."

After defeating the Cavaliers in 2009, the Tribe felt like they let one get away last year when North Carolina rallied for a 21-17 win in Chapel Hill. Johnny White's 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the winning score and highlighted the difference between the two levels.

"You find out a lot about your football team when you play one of these games, especially when you play them early," Laycock said. "You really don't know what to expect out of your team. You make mistakes here, they're magnified. Things will show up against a Virginia that might not show up in other ball games. It'll tell you things that you need to work on and reinforce things you're doing well."

Neither team knows a great deal about the other. Lineups have changed quite a bit from two years ago.

Virginia quarterbacks Michael Rocco and freshman David Watford will get their first extensive playing time. W&M quarterback Mike Paulus played last season, but is coming off of shoulder surgery.

"What we do, whoever we're playing in our opening game," Laycock said, "we put a lot more emphasis on ourselves than we do on the opponent, so far as the preparation. We want to be sure we know where we're supposed to be and what we're supposed to be doing in all these situations.

"You have last year's (video) tapes and things like that to go on, but in opening games it's been my experience that you better take care of yourselves and you better know what you're supposed to do, and then be able to adjust and improvise as the game unfolds."

Both teams know they are capable of winning. They understand that they must play well to do so.

"It's going to be a good game," London said, "because everyone knows what happened two years ago and all that. It's an opportunity for older guys that can play better and some new faces to make their debut. We're excited about the challenge."